Rome Catacombs Tour with Michelangelo’s Moses by Car

TOUR DETAILS

all inclusive price

PRICE

€ 99,00

GROUP SIZE

Max 7

DURATION

3,5 hours

SYNOPSIS

Enjoy our Catacombs tour, travelling in a mini-van on a very intimate group of maximum 7 participants. Discover the burial place of Early Christianity on the Appian Way. Learn about their rituals and cults as you admire their symbols, frescoes and little chapels hidden underground. Then admire the ancient Basilica of Saint Sabina with its striking original fifth century door depicting the earliest Christ's Crucifixion, and the nearby Orange Garden with its awesome panoramic view. Our unique Rome tour ends in the fifth century church of San Pietro in Vincoli, which houses the Michelangelo's Moses, a masterpiece of the Renaissance, whose perfection and beauty will be well explained by our expert. Get the most out of your experience of the Catacombs on our tour which combines different sites to convey a better understanding of the faith of Early Christianity.

Our Catacombs tour offers a unique experience of some of the most interesting sites in Rome, too often overlooked by visitors to Rome, which are united by the themes of death and beauty. It is no coincidence that our Rome tour of the Catacombs - burial places of silence and remembrance - is followed by the Michelngelo's Moses, for you to admire the statue he designed for the tomb of Pope Julius II. Our journey begins in the centre of Rome, where you will meet your driver and travel to discover the catacombs in a mini-van with a maximun of 7 participants.

This tour of Rome is an enriching journey through the galleries of the dead in the Catacombs, the beautiful Basilica od Saint Sabina on the Aventine Hill and the nearby panoramic Orange Garden, ending with the discovery of the Moses, whose prophetic gaze seems to defy time itself.

We will start taking you to the outskirts of Ancient Rome, where you’ll go underground and discover the history of Christianity in the Catacombs of San Sebastiano on the Appian Way, one of the most ancient surviving Roman roads.

After your visit of the Catacombs, you’ll be driven back to Rome center to visit two historic churches. Often overlooked by other tour groups, these beautiful churches offer valuable insight into the religious art and history of Rome, and are therefore the perfect accompaniment to the catacombs.

On this intimate group, you’ll visit the exquisite San Pietro in Vincoli, where you’ll see a hidden masterpiece - Michelangelo’s statue of Moses. On the beautiful Aventine Hill you’ll explore the ancient Basilica of Saint Sabina, and admire the incredible view of Rome from the Giardino degli Aranci, the most romantic park in the city.

This group tour is limited to 7 people, and all tickets are bought beforehand, enabling you to skip the line and spend more time exploring Rome.

You will travel between the sites in a mini-van. Your tour ends at San Pietro in Vincoli, which is a short walk from Cavour metro station (line B) or Colosseum metro station.

Explore the catacombs of the Appian Way

The Appian Way, a Roman road lined with cypresses, umbrella pines, tombs and ruins, was built in 312 BC to connect Rome to Brindisi. An atmospheric stretch of the road still survives in Rome, and it is here that you’ll discover the underworld of the Catacombs of San Sebastiano, where the remains of Saint Sebastian were buried in 350 AD after his martyrdom on the Palatine Hill, exploring a mysterious warren of underground tunnels.

This area of Rome first became a necropolis - a city of the dead - in the first century AD. These catacombs were used for both Christian and pagan burials, and play a vital part in the history of Christianity, as they were once the temporary resting place of St Peter and St Paul, attracting worshippers as well as mourners.

Above ground, in the fourth century Basilica di San Sebastiano, you’ll find some unusual relics - the arrow that struck Saint Sebastian, and the marble footprints of Christ, from his walk to Rome. The church was specifically built to give pilgrims access to these sacred relics and our cultural will explain you the rituals of generations of Christians who have lived, prayed and died in Rome, a city with unique significance in Early Christian history.

Marvel at Michelangelo’s Moses

Climb some narrow steps in the picturesque neighbourhood of Monti and you’ll reach the elegant fifth century church of San Pietro in Vincoli, to discover the Michelangelo’s Moses, one of the artist’s greatest masterpieces. Many art lovers miss out on this extraordinary sculpture of Moses, a High Renaissance treasure in the heart of Monti. Pope Julius II commissioned Michelangelo to design his tomb, and the final result was this imposing statue of Moses, which has inspired centuries of admiration and critical interpretation. Moses is depicted with horns, and the attention to detail, from his muscles to his magnificent beard, are a testament to the genius of Michelangelo. This is a unique opportunity to come face to face with a Renaissance masterpiece, a sculpture so realistic that the artist is rumoured to have struck it and ordered it to speak.

Enjoy the view from the Aventine Hill

The leafy Aventine Hill is a quiet neighbourhood in the historic centre of Rome, where grand embassies and elegant old villas stand next to some of the most interesting ancient churches.

On your exploration of the Aventine, you’ll continue to learn about the history of Christian worship and art on a visit to the fifth century Basilica of Saint Sabina, with its original door from 430 A.D. As you explore its beautifully interior, you’ll discover how Santa Sabina, like San Pietro in Vincoli in Monti, symbolises the aesthetic transition from ancient to medieval.

When you first enter, you’ll first be struck by Saint Sabina’s mosaics and graceful colonnade, but the most interesting details are often missed by visitors. This Basilica has the oldest surviving Christian wood sculpture - a famous door made of cypress wood in the 5th century, depicting the earliest representation of the Christ's crucifixion.

Nearby is the romantic Giardino degli Aranci (“Orange Garden”), a strikingly symmetrical park. This peaceful, shady garden is filled with umbrella pines and orange trees, and offers unparalleled views of Rome. From here you have a breathtaking panorama of the Tiber, the Tiber island, and the most famous rooftops in the centre of Rome, including the Dome of St Peter’s.

gallery

BOOK YOUR TOUR

Select Date*

Choose Time:

Select guest:

ADULT (> 18):

Students (< 24) - Children (< 18):

Infants (< 5):

TOTAL GUEST

0

PRICE FROM

Excellent guides

Our guides are fluent in English and have a contagious passion for the inspiring cultural heritage of our Italian cities. Experts in their fields, they will immerse you in the hidden histories and intriguing lives of history's great protagonists. So much to see, so easy to miss out: with the help of our guides, visit the most absorbing sites and uncover the stories that have changed the world. Don't miss this fascinating journey!

Our strengths

Our guides are fluent in English and have a contagious passion for Rome's inspiring cultural heritage. Experts in their fields, they will immerse you in the hidden histories and intriguing lives of history's great protagonists. So much to see, so easy to miss out: with the help of our guides, visit the most absorbing sites and uncover the stories that have changed the world. Don't miss this fascinating journey!